Bronx, NY (My Sportsbook) - Hideki Matsui's two-run homer in the second inning and two-run base hit in the third, both off Pedro Martinez, has given the New York Yankees a 4-1 lead over Philadelphia after three innings in Game 6 of the World Series.

The Yankees hope the early runs and a solid effort from Andy Pettitte on the mound will lead up to a magical night in the Bronx. The team holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven set and is a victory away from an unprecedented 27th World Series title and its first since 2000.

Carlos Ruiz tripled and scored on a Jimmy Rollins sacrifice fly in the third inning for the Phillies, who are trying to become the first repeat champion in the National League since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76. They pushed the series to a Game 6 with an 8-6 victory Monday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Martinez walked Alex Rodriguez on four pitches to start the second. Matsui, who homered off Martinez in the sixth inning of Game 2, then clubbed a four- seam fastball on the inside corner to the second deck in right field for his third round-tripper of this series. It came on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

With one out in the Philadelphia third, Carlos Ruiz tripled to the gap off the wall in left-center field, heading to third base when the ball bounced off the fence and past center field Brett Gardner. Rollins then flied out to deep right field, easily scoring Ruiz.

The Yankees loaded the bases in the third as Derek Jeter singled, Johnny Damon walked and Mark Teixiera was hit by a pitch on his right thigh, but Rodriguez looked at a called third strike on the outside corner for the second out.

Matsui nearly had a hit for extra bases, but it hooked foul down the right field line. Facing an 0-2 count, New York's designated hitter lined a two-run single to center field. Jorge Posada then flied out to left field to cap the frame.

Pettitte is throwing on three days' rest, having lasted six innings in an 8-5 New York win Saturday night in Game 3. The lefty, who holds the postseason record for most all-time wins with 17, is the third straight Yankee to go on short rest in this series, joining CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

Shane Victorino legged out an infield hit with one out in the top of the first inning, but Chase Utley, who has already tied a single World Series record with five homers, grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

When Martinez stepped to the mound on the brisk night at Yankee Stadium, the chants of "Who's your daddy?" were consistently heard from the capacity crowd, trying to heckle the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

The losing pitcher from a 3-1 final in Game 2, Martinez retired the side in order in the opening inning.

Jayson Werth walked with one out in the top of the second and went to third with two outs thanks to a wild pitch, but Pedro Feliz fouled out behind the plate.

Victorino was inserted into his normal center field and second spot in the team's lineup despite hurting his right index finger after being hit by a pitch Monday night. The Phillies used Raul Ibanez as the designated hitter and put Ben Francisco in left field.

This is the first time since 2003 that the Fall Classic has been extended to at least six games, when the world was introduced to Josh Beckett, who tossed a five-hit shutout to eliminate the Yankees and clinch a World Series title for the Florida Marlins. In Game 6, the team leading, 3-2 is just 23-37. The Marlins were victorious in Game 6 to win the World Series in 2003 against the Yankees, but the team up, 3-2, had dropped Game 6 on the three previous occasions.